My 1995 7.3L F350 4dr Longbed w/E4OD is currently having issues with no power in reverse and will not shift past second going forward.

I am at the cross roads of either an E4OD rebuild (which would likely make it another 100k miles) or swapping out the slush box for a stick.

At this point i am leaning more towards the ZF5. Seems and easier down stream effort to replace a clutch than doing another rebuild.

I am trying to keep the budget at or below $1,500 total. Any advice or guidance is welcome.

 

Keeping it under 1500 depends on where you get trans and associated parts. People ask stupid money for them, expect to be dealing with someone who's asking 1000 for trans and more for a "auto to manual" swap.

If you have good "you pick you pull" jys in your area, keep an eye out for one and get the trans, t case (misewell), hydraulics, pedals, ecm, and even the flywheel/clutch if they look good. Pedals and such can be robbed from any vehicle. It's not easy finding a 7.3 truck in the jy, let alone a zf5 truck that hasn't been heavily molested before you get to it, so this may not be an option considering you need a trans sooner than later.

expect 3-500 for driveshaft work, depending on your shop availability and local pricing.

One last option, and one I would consider, is to buy a "sellable" 7.3/zf5 truck, rebuild your E4od, and swap everything from one to the other. You'll have your zf5 4 dr awesomeness, then sell the other truck.

 

Thanks for the guidance. I have found a place that specializes in powerstroke parts about 2 hours from me that has most if not all of what I need. You nailed my only opened research question at this point.

What is the best way to handle the drive shaft issue? Is there a way to swap them as well from a donor vehicle?

I have been trying to find the different lengths (4x4) for both the front and back shafts for the E4OD and ZF5 for my vehicle with no luck so far.

Maybe someone here knows the different lengths between the E4OD w/t case and the ZF5 w/t case. I am assuming that I will be swapping out the transfer cases as part of this project.

 

Cases will be the same, unless you find a later model t case/zf5 combo.

Only way donor driveshafts will work is if you find them from the exact truck cab/bed config you have....which I'm sure you know won't be easy. I'm honestly not sure the length difference between the zf and the e4.....but if I was a betting man I'd bet the e4 to be longer.

 

Thanks. A lot to ponder with only a $1,500 budget.

I believe I can get all of the parts for the swap minus the drive shafts in this case. So price is going to be the big factor.

Still wanting to keep all my options opened. What are the thoughts on a rebuild kit to address the E4OD issues. Or for that matter if anyone is reading this forum and would like to switch from Manual to Auto let me know. I am near Cincinnati.

I am hoping this thread can be a walkthrough for either a rebuild or a swap depending on direction.

 

You could build yourself a stout E4OD with $1500 and avoid swap issues, potentially the same amount of down time....

 

Can't help ya on the automagic slush box, but if you like rowing your own I wouldn't shy away from price tag.

 

Plum,

Any suggestion on a parts kit to build a stout slush box? I favor the Alto red eagle clutches if going that route but I am not sure if that is overkill. I have priced out variable setups from monster and the like but I find the search for the perfect kit a bit difficult given the brief description that most sellers give on what is included.

 

I've bought all my internal parts from makco transmission. They have kits of varying quality as well as bands, valvebody parts, etc. If you tear the transmission down before placing the order you can get everything in one shot. Overkill isn't possible for clutches if you ask me, budget is the limiter. Trango and baumann sell good valvebody kits.

As far as torque converters I'd probably order name brand from summit because a bad/dirty converter can spell disaster.

 

Outstanding advice.

It seems my options are a used ZF5 or a freshly rebuilt E4OD and I believe with my budget and this thread I am starting to sway towards the freshly built E4OD. Thankfully, I have a good friend that did the rebuilds for Ford at the plant then this transmission was in production.

Still a lot to ponder.

Anyone else please feel free to chime in and sway the conversation or lend advice one way or the other.

 

I think immediate availability of a zf5 and associated parts is what dictates your decision the most at this point. If "money ain't a thang" then I'd say find a zf6 conversion package, mod the trans tunnel, and call it a day. But, if money weren't an issue, my ups man would have back problems from carrying all the heavy stuff he brings me each day.

 

i found this place on line. i have not called or ordered anything from them. but their prices seem reasonable. it may be worth checking them out. again, i have no experience with them at all. its just a place i found while surfing online one day.

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